For Arctic Research

The Araon, Korea's first ice-breaking research vessel

The Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries (MOF) announced on June 28 that it will push for the construction of a next-generation icebreaker with enhanced Arctic research capabilities compared to the Araon, Korea's first ice-breaking research vessel.

The ministry said that its project passed a preliminary feasibility study by the National Research and Development Project Evaluation Committee on June 25. It plans to invest a total of 277.4 billion won in the design of the ship, staring from next year. The next-generation icebreaker will be put into operation in 2027.

The vessel will be able to break ice up to 1.5 meters thick at a speed of three knots (5.6 km/h), outweighing the Araon which can break ice only up to one meter thick. It will weigh 15,450 tons, more than twice as heavy as the Araon. It can accommodate up to 100 crew members and sail without receiving additional supplies for up to 75 days.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) and low sulfur oil can be used as fuel, allowing the vessel to operate eco-friendly. The ship is designed to allow crew members to utilize more space by detaching and attaching various pieces of research equipment, including an autonomous underwater vehicle.

The new vessel is expected to help produce more meaningful Arctic research results as it can conduct various studies on climate, the sea, biology, resources, geological subjects, the atmosphere, and space in the central Arctic Ocean and the Barents Sea in Russia, which were not accessible for the Araon.

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